2009 Spring Kidding Season

Spring is kidding season again at the farm. All 9 does or Nannies were bred in October to Frickles, our new 80% Kiko, 20% Boer Buck. Not to regress too much, Kiko's are New Zealand bred goats selected especially for their ability to resist parasites and hardiness of the kids. The Boer is from South Africa and are bred because they  gain weight in all the right places, much like Black Angus among cattle. The only problem is pure bred Boers have parasite problems and don't fair well in our semi-wet Virginia climate.  By crossing the Boer and Kiko, you get a healthier, more vigorous goat. Well enough about breeding goats :-)  Our first Nannie to deliver this season was Chestnut, a 95% Boer from Texas. Chestnut had  triplets on March the fourth, the first 2 came in backwards,  by March 8th, 16 babies were on the ground. The big white dog is Rado, he's a 7 year old registered Mareamma Guard Dog. His breed was developed in the mountains of Italy to guard sheep and goats. He stays with the goats 24/7 to protect them from preditors, like the neighborhood dogs that are allowed to run around and get in trouble, but also coyotes, hawks, bear etc. I'll continue to add pictures of the new arrivals, so please revisit my site. Thanks and enjoy. Don